The 40 Best Songs of 2024
BEST SONGS
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BEST SONGS ✦
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s evident that this year has been a melting pot of extraordinary musical talent. From seasoned icons redefining their sound to rising stars making their mark, we’ve curated our top 40 favorites, each one a testament to the creativity and innovation of the artists who brought them to life. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the melodies and rhythms that have defined 2024, making it a year to remember.
Kendrick Lamar: "Not Like Us"
Kendrick Lamar's widely celebrated song "Not Like Us" delivers hard-hitting lyrics and a powerful beat that addresses social and political issues – and of course, beef. The song's directness, alongside Lamar's incomparable flow, has turned the track into a thought-provoking anthem.
Ariana Grande: "We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)"
Ariana Grande's emotional return to pop music with "We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)" captures the emotional turmoil of unrequited love with her signature vocal prowess. The heartfelt lyrics and sweeping production resonate deeply, showcasing Grande's ability to blend vulnerability with powerful delivery.
Beyonce: "BODYGUARD"
In "BODYGUARD," Beyoncé delivers a powerful anthem of infatuation and commitment. The song's commanding country-twinged beat and Beyoncé's fierce vocals highlight her unwavering presence and serve as a reminder of her status as a pop icon. Sure, it isn’t a single off the visionary album, but any Beyoncé song could be.
Lady Gaga: "Disease"
Lady Gaga's "Disease" delves into a dark pop experiment with a surprising sense of optimism at its core. The haunting melody and poignant lyrics construct a captivating narrative for this return to pop perfection, showcasing Gaga's talent for combining emotional depth with artistic expression.
f5ve: "Lettuce"
"Lettuce" by f5ve stands out with its campy lyrics about toxicity and a vibrant, funky beat crafted by industry veteran Bloodpop. The track's infectious rhythm and the J-pop group's spirited performance take it to the next level, making “Lettuce” an instant hit and an unforgettable experience.
Damiano David: "Born With a Broken Heart"
Stepping out into the solo music scene, Damiano David's "Born With a Broken Heart" is a powerful rock ballad that showcases his raw vocal talent and emotional intensity. The song's gripping lyrics and dynamic instrumentation are key components of this standout performance, demonstrating his remarkable versatility and range.
Sabrina Carpenter: "Espresso"
"Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter serves listeners with a vibrant, warm nostalgic pop production that perfectly captures the rush of young love. However, Carpenter's charismatic, technical skillset is what turned this one into an irresistible playlist staple.
Tommy Richman: "Million Dollar Baby"
Tommy Richman's summer favorite "Million Dollar Baby" is a catchy pop track with an infectious, neo-funk concept that’s blown up across streaming platforms and radio. Even now, the song remains on various playlists because it’s just that strong.
Megan Thee Stallion: "Mamushi (feat. Yuki Chiba)"
Megan Thee Stallion teams up with Japanese powerhouse Yuki Chiba for "Mamushi," a track that blends powerful rap verses with an exotic beat. The song's fierce energy and innovative fusion of styles highlight Megan's versatility and prominence in the rap scene.
CHARLI XCX: "Apple"
If you’ve been living under a rock this year – you might not know about CHARLI XCX's futuristic pop masterpiece "Apple,” but that would be your only excuse. With her innovative production choices and catchy hooks, the track showcases the artist’s potential to push musical boundaries while delivering music that's both fresh and infectious.
Kesha: "JOYRIDE"
After waiting for freedom for far too long – Kesha's "JOYRIDE" is an exhilarating anthem of liberation and empowerment. The upbeat tempo, quirky vocalizations, and infectious chorus capture the thrill of breaking free, turning Kesha’s return into an inspiring piece of art.
Cardi B: "Enough (Miami)"
Cardi B's "Enough (Miami)" is a high-energy track that showcases her uniquely bold personality and lyrical prowess. The song's contagious beat and confident articulation further highlight her enduring impact, turning the song into a standout moment for the industry icon.
Diego Gonzalez: "Sweet Emotion"
The dark horse track "Sweet Emotion" by rising star Diego Gonzalez is a nuanced, soulful excursion into the euphoric worlds of R&B and introspective alternative. Thanks to its infectious rhythm and Gonzalez's charismatic conviction on the track, we also have plenty of reasons to believe he’s an artist to watch in 2025.
Latto: "Brokey"
As you might expect by its name, Latto's "Brokey" is a fierce song that tackles financial independence with bold lyrics and a recognizable beat. And if we’ve learned anything from this simple, yet extremely effective track, Latto has a true knack for turning any sound into her own arena.
Isabel LaRosa: "Favorite"
The dark pop punk banger "Muse" by Isabel LaRosa is a captivating track that combines poetic lyrics with a haunting melody. LaRosa's ethereal qualities and nuanced delivery elevate the song, molding the track into a standout piece of artistry.
Khalid: "Heatstroke"
We truly appreciate Khalid and his return with the 2024 track "Heatstroke" has once again earned our attention through a sultry, Fleetwood Mac-esque soundscape that perfectly utilizes his innate R&B influences. This was a moment for the celebrated singer-songwriter.
Kali Uchis feat. Peso Pluma: "Igual Que un Angel"
"Igual Que un Ángel" by Kali Uchis, featuring Peso Pluma, is a dreamy track that blends Uchis’ hypnotic Latin influences with elements of contemporary pop. The song easily lives up to her already glowing industry reputation, but it also adds a nice collaborative dimension to her evolving sound. At this point, we’re confident that everything she does has the power to enchant.
Tyler the Creator featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne: “Sticky”
"Sticky" by Tyler, the Creator is a standout track from his 2024 album Chromakopia. Featuring collaborations with GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne, the song blends Southern hip-hop elements with catchy hooks and energetic verses. The track is also known for its playful and raunchy lyrics, exploring themes of materialism and relationships. With its infectious beat and powerhouse contributions, "Sticky" has quickly become a fan favorite.
Bryant Barnes: "Is This Love To You"
Sticking with timeless themes, "Is This Love To You" by Bryant Barnes embodies a soulful track that explores the complexities of love and relationships. The smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics resonate deeply with listeners, manufacturing a standout moment for the rising star.
FKA twigs: "Eusexua"
FKA twigs' latest single, "Eusexua," showcases her unique blend of dreamy trance and sensual techno influences. Released as the lead single from her newest visionary album, it's easy to see why this transcendent production is making waves.
KATSEYE: "Touch"
KATSEYE's trendy pop track "Touch" is an electronic-infused selection that captivates with hypnotic beats and sultry pop vocals. Additionally, the song's seductive Y2K-charged rhythm and sleek production create an immersive listening experience powerful enough to turn anyone into a fan.
SZA: "Saturn"
SZA's "Saturn" is a soulful track that explores themes of growth and self-discovery – leaving plenty of room for a nice off-world daydream The ethereal production and SZA's emotive vocals make it a deeply resonant song that speaks to the listener's heart.
Myles Smith: "Stargazing"
Myles Smith's country-pop track "Stargazing" is an expansive production that features introspective lyrics. Its atmospheric arrangement and Smith's soothing vocals also create a serene and contemplative listening experience, culminating in a stunning finale.
Tinashe: “Nasty”
After spending years in the industry releasing various R&B and pop gems, Tinashe recently dropped her viral hit single “Nasty,” leaning into her sultry, unapologetic qualities that quickly became a 2024 favorite. In terms of production, “Nasty” also serves as a reminder that keeping things simple can result in something extremely catchy.
(G)I-DLE: "Wife"
With its quirky identity and unique stylistic choices, (G)I-DLE's "Wife" has become a stellar rap cut in the K-pop world. And to make the track sweeter, it’s all about shedding gender norms and retooling the standard concept of domesticity.
Madison Beer: “15 Minutes”
Madison Beer entices listeners with a hypnotic buildup and high-energy beats, as she softly croons, "15 minutes ago I was laying in bed / Then I had a crazy thought in my head / So I took the keys and got in the car / Don’t know how I got here but baby here we are," seamlessly blending her free-spirited lyricism and raspy vocals with the song’s grim backdrop.
Skye Riley (Naomi Scott): “New Brain”
We didn’t initially expect that an original pop song crafted for a film could have such an impact on us, but the fresh dark pop anthem “New Brain” from Naomi Scott and her legendary fictional pop star Skye Riley feels like it’s comparable to some of the heavy-hitting tracks from established pop powerhouses. But seriously, the entire EP is absolute fire.
Orville Peck, Kylie Minogue, Diplo: "Midnight Ride"
With country, pop, and EDM detailing, "Midnight Ride" has proven to be a unique collaboration that blends Orville Peck's haunting vocals with Kylie Minogue's personality and Diplo's recognizable sound. The result is a mesmerizing track that captures the essence of a nocturnal genre-blending adventure.
Addison Rae: “Diet Pepsi”
Addison Rae earned a major pop music moment with her echo-heavy, hypnotic track “Diet Pepsi,” a song committed to describing the unstoppable sensuality of a passion-fueled relationship. While there are a few relaxed pop songs that earned attention this year, this one rises above the masses.
Travis Japan: “Crazy Crazy”
2024 has been quite a busy year for the J-pop sensation known as Travis Japan — but their recent return with the quirky, anthemic track “Crazy Crazy” skillfully accentuates the group’s capacity to deliver high-energy music that feels youthful, charismatic, and more importantly, fun!
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars: “Die with a Smile”
When you enlist two soulful industry juggernauts like Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, it’s impossible to miss the mark. And through this raw, western-tinted collaboration, both artists are bringing their A-game.
Ivan Cornejo: “Mirada”
Ivan Cornejo's expressive track "Mirada" is a heartfelt composition that captures the essence of pain, longing, and introspection. With its soulful lyrics and captivating melody, it's quickly becoming one of Cornejo’s most vulnerable drops.
LE SSERAFIM: “CRAZY”
LE SSERAFIM is quickly evolving into one of the industry’s best assets – with their club anthem “CRAZY” offering listeners plenty of sass (in both English and Korean). It’s clever, trancey, original, and arguably the group’s best track to date.
Doja Cat: “OKLOSER”
"OKLOSER" by Doja Cat is a vibey track from her deluxe album Scarlet 2: CLAUDE which combines an energetic, echoed electronic beat and Doja's signature rebellious spirit. As if the 2023 album wasn’t already iconic, the rapper’s 2024 return expanded its success with these new, unique additions to her decorated discography.
Jade: “Angel of My Dreams”
Former Little Mix member Jade pulls from several life-changing moments to convey a powerful sonic message about identity and self-discovery in an industry plagued by illusions. The pacing, vocal runs, and combination of soul and electronic genres also help this one earn a special place in fans’ hearts.
Chappell Roan: “Good Luck Babe!”
Through poignant verses and a powerful chorus, rising star Chappell Roan conveys the intense emotions of heartbreak and defiance with raw honesty while wishing luck to someone who is in denial of their fate. Plus, it has a nice little ‘80s ambiance that translates exceptionally well.
Tyla: “Push 2 Start”
Tyla's new song "Push 2 Start" has been making waves since its release, and for good reason. The track masterfully blends the singer’s infectious Amapiano rhythms with contemporary R&B and pop, creating a sound that's both fresh and playful.
John Mackk feat. Natalie Nunn: "Pose For Me Remix"
"Pose For Me Remix" by John Mackk, featuring Baddies CEO Natalie Nunn, is an energetic track that combines catchy hooks with a pulsating, stereo-friendly beat from both artists. However, Nunn’s TikTok trendy verse on this electrifying production is what ultimately makes it a club-ready banger.
Lisa: “Rockstar”
LISA’s relentlessly addictive, and boldly confident release comes as a breath of fresh air for longtime BLACKPINK fans — offering a promising glimpse into her evolving artistry outside of the group and her former label.
Elliot James Reay: "I Think They Call This Love"
Having made his official debut with the song "I Think They Call This Love,” Elliot James Reay has crafted a poignant bluesy track that delves into the overwhelming sensation of love. With his emotive intentions and heartfelt approach, the song has become a top-tier introduction to the industry.
